Guillow's Lot of 12 Starfire Balsa Wood Toy Flying Airplanes

Lot of Twelve Balsa Wood Stunt Flying Planes #35 Starfire. "They don't make them like they used to" is a lament often heard about just about everything produced today, including toys. But there is one notable exception in the world of Balsa Wood gliders... the Paul K. Guillow Co. Many of the Guillow gliders and rubber band powered planes you can buy today are incredibly similar to those made in the 1950's... not too surprising when you consider that some of the company's balsa cutting and slicing machines are over 65 years old. The company was founded by Paul Guillow, a World War I Navy aviator. His war experience sparked an interest in aviation and eventually led to the creation and marketing of a line of small balsa wood, shelf-building model kits of famous World War I fighter planes. In 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh flew the "Spirit of St. Louis" from New York to Paris, France, in the first successful solo flight across the Atlantic. National interest in all things aviation caught up with Paul and found his model airplane kits in high demand. During World War II, most balsa wood was being diverted for military use in the production of rafts and life jackets, making it nearly impossible to acquire. Guillow served the war effort by supplying the armed forces with a number of unmanned aircraft to help American gunners hone their skills. Postwar prosperity and new plastic models caused a decline in the "stick and knit" business. With sales in the kit business declining, Guillow concentrated on producing inexpensive hand-launched, rubber-powered gliders. A dozen new rubber band-powered gliders and airplanes were marketed in a variety of attractive displays to suit the needs of all customers, from mom and pop shops to department stores. Minimum age 8 years.